Kia Optima Complaints

7,843 consumer complaints on file.

#11502988January 21, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The AFLS forces the low beam headlights too low when passengers are in the back seat (see attachment for full details)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502741January 20, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2016 kia is using a lot of oil I get a oil change and 100,000 miles later my oil light comes on and I have to put more oil in the car. I’m told to check my oil every week an to get an oil changed every 150,000 miles. All my spark plugs have blown (I was told it’s due to oil starvation) an my car started shaking real bad as I was driving. I was told to get spark plugs changed in order to get an oil changed and sometimes turned away twice because I had no oil in the car. Its not keeping enough oil in the car to keep it running smoothly which could cause a fire or even engine failure. I also noticed that there’s a lot of smoke coming out of exhaust pipe when the car starts up in the back an that could be a problem one Macanic said. I was told to change my pvc valve to help with the increased oil consumption this didn’t help but it was clogged up glad i changed it. This kia is starting to be to much money with me having to keep a 5 gallon oil bottle to ensure im never out of oil. Still making payments and keeping the thought in my mind that this kia could possibly break down with my child in the car. I need help with this fix I like the style an the look but the everyday drive and problems I can pass off on a Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502885January 20, 2023
ENGINE
Engine oil consumption: I have owned this car since November 2022 and took my Kia Optima to Valvoline for an oil change in December 2022 because my oil light came on and it turns out that my car was 3 quarts low and they topped my oil off for me. 1 month (January 2023) later my oil light in my car did NOT come on but the check your engine light did and it seemed like it was losing power. So in order not to damage the engine I had it towed to my home when we arrived at my home oil started coming out of the car at the bottom while it was still on the tow truck lift the car was facing down hill
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502889January 20, 2023
ENGINE
1 month after purchasing the car we noticed it was having oil consumption Problems. In December of 2022 we took the car in and were told by the kia dealership that the rings in the car were no good but when the issue was reported to our extended warranty the denied the repairs trying to say it is something else. This cars engines should have recalls on its engine just like all the other cars. We owe 20000.00 on a car that's engine is no good.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502637January 19, 2023
ENGINE
Knock sensor failure and misfiring
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502650January 19, 2023
ENGINE
2018 KIA OPTIMA EX A/T. MY WIFE DRIVE THIS CAR TO WORK EVERY DAY, 45-50 MILE ROUND TRIP FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT OIL CONSUMPTION IS STARTING TO BECOME A PROBLEM. IM UNSURE THE EXACT AMOUNT IT GOES THROUGH BUT IT SEEMS TO BE ALMOST 3-4 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. EVERY NOW AND THEN IT WOULD RANDOMLY BE A QUART LOW, BUT NO LEAKS, NO NOTICEABLE SMOKING, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. MY WIFE HAS HAD A FEW TIMES WHERE THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY LOOSE ACCELERATION NAD SLOW WAY DOWN. THE CAR WOULD COME BACK UP TO ACCELERATION AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENS. IM WONDERING IF IT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION, BUT NOT SURE. IT HAS THE RECAL FOR THE KNOCK SENSOR UPDATE WHICH WE ARE WAITING FOR FEB 28TH, THATS THE TIME THE DEALER CAN GET THE CAR IN FOR IT. OUR CLOSEST DEALER IS 150 MILES FROM HOME. WE HAVE OWNED IT SINCE NEW AND THIS IS THE ONLY PROBLEM WE'VE HAD WITH IT. I HOPE WE CAN GET THIS RESOLVED. NO NEW CAR SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS MUCH OIL AT ALMOST $6 A QUART OR MORE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502353January 18, 2023
ENGINE
fuel hose attached to high pressure pump failed, same part and repair as NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V093000. Expensive repair, not cover by KIA dealers will not cover repair cost due to different dash number on part. Part number required 31312-3Q100-DS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502085January 17, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine oil consumption, I have owned this car since new and almost every other week I need to add oil. My car has 85k miles on it , and has been service by dealer since new, just 2 months ago Pomona kia said my oil pan gasket had a small leak and replaced the gasket, today 3500 miles after the gasket replacement my car needed 3 quarts of oil. I'm not a mechanic but I know my car should not go trough so much oil. Someone please help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502156January 17, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to cruise to the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502168January 17, 2023
STEERING
In November 2022, I noticed that my steering wheel would stick after reaching 35 mph. After an unrelated issue in January, a mechanic confirmed this issue. Went for a second option and they confirmed that same issue, stating it was the steering column insulator. After consulting with another mechanic that can fix the problem, he encouraged me to reach out to KIA for recalls, as that he has repaired 3 other vehicles in the past 12 months with the same issue and they all had recalls. KIA does not have any recalls for this, or anything related to steering. They said that a component in my steering was covered but the warranty expired 2 years ago. Still checking for recalls, as that I'm seeing a lot of reports online of the same issue with Optimas.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502188January 17, 2023
ENGINE
I took my Kia Optima to Century 3 Kia for an oil change in August of 2022. 2 months later my oil light comes in my car but I still have 2000 miles left until next oil change. I called Century 3 Kia complaining of a flashing oil light. They told me since I still have 2000 miles until the next oil Change, the mechanic must’ve just forgot to reset the car after they did my oil Change and that’s why it’s flashing. They told me to come down so they can reset it. They reset it and sent me on my way without even checking my oil. After leaving I still had the oil light on so I took it to a mechanic close to home to check my oil and I barely had any in there. I topped the oil off and the light went away. I sent Kia consumer an email after this visit complaining of the bad service I received and how they made me drive with no oil. I attached the email. I then scheduled an appointment at a different Kia dealership - South Hills kia for a new oil change and told them to please check my oil because I believe it could be burning. South Hills Kia performed a multi point inspection and gave me an oil change and told me my car had no signs of leaking or burning oil and is good to go . Not even a month after the new oil change my engine blows and the dealer told me it’s because of burning oil and I’ll need a whole new engine. My car is a 17 Optima with 61,000 miles and just a mout of warranty . It’s always been up to date on oil changes. It’s upsetting because I trusted Kia and now my vehicle is down because of them and they want me to pay.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502274January 17, 2023
ENGINE
I had a catastrophic engineer failure that was reporting a DTC to replace the spark plug/ignition coil. This failure is miss mapped and had no previous Indicator warning the customer of a engine failure that would potentially leave the customer in an unsafe condition stranded. I had to have my vehicle towed in for service and the dealer informed that the vehicle needed a new intake valve. The intake valve failure at 118k miles is a little outside of warranty but still considerably young for an engine. There could be a number of reasons for this failure, material quality could make the valve brittle, manufacturing so the retainers could not seat properly in the spring. All the reasons are not customer induced nor at the stage in engine life that would be appropriate. After reviewing the Kia main social media account and talking to several dealers this type of failure is not uncommon for this product line as early as 30k miles. I believe that the volume of failure is large enough population that Kia should investigate 1) the mapping of DTCs/Indicator warning to the customer and 2) the actual engine failure population is large enough it should be reviewed by the government.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502278January 17, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at night, the low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a driving hazard. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made several unknown local dealers aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502067January 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The hybrid system on my vehicle continues to show an error when operating the vehicle. The manual says to not operate the vehicle, but the dealership continues to deny the issue with my vehicle. Currently, I'm without my vehicle for approximately a period of two weeks with no resolution to fix my car. I have asked for information under the vehicle care act, but have not been given a current report on the repair needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501857January 15, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
My pearl white has been chipping since 2017 in multiple locations. Kia needs to be held responsible and rectify the situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501713January 13, 2023
ENGINE
Engine seized on the car and I was denied recall repair. I spoke with corporate for Kia and they basically did nothing to help at all. They basically said they sent a letter for an update and because I did not perform the update they will not honor the recall that was approved on my car. The person I spoke with advised the address was never updated so the letter did not come to me for the recall or was lost. He stated I was supposed to contact Kia with update to address. I never was aware this had to be done and I have purchased many cars and never was made aware. He stated why would you purchase a big purchase and not do this. I was under the impression when I purchased this would be done that’s why I am charged tax license and other fees. I believe this is predatory and this is just a way to not honor the recalled engine that I purchased. The check engine light never illuminated on the dash or any indication the engine had an issue so I had no reason to take my car in for a repair. To add to that my fiancé had a 2013 and the recall letter was received and he took his car for update and the car never worked after the update was performed. Kia denied any repairs to that vehicle and basically took a lost because of the update. I would like some type of resolution to this issue. The car has 113000 miles of course the original warranty was 100000. This update was during pandemic as well. I am very disappointed in Kia at this point because there should be something in place for people like me who never received notice. The engine is no good and we as customers should not have to take this lost. Please help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501673January 13, 2023
ENGINE
I purchase the car at the end of November of 2022 from drive time. I was driving on January 8th 2023 and the car speed reduced and the check engine light started flashing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501694January 13, 2023
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I purchased a kia turbo optima from bob's lamphere's beaverton oregon kia dealership 9 days later I felt the acceleration awkwardly bi wanted to return it or exchange but was told no contract was only within 5 days. I took it to kia dealership for diagnostic 3 times I had it for 9 months the last 6 weeks was the 3rd time until Feb 28th It was totaled by a uninsured motorist memes william benton penny lll Or. Driver lic# 1289466 Of 1633 n.e. 76th portland oregon 97213 he was speeding illegally bypassing on a bridge into on coming traffic which was me he ending totally the back end of my kia. No air bags deployed I had no airbag warning light on I suffer injuries whiplash in my neck shoulder and back to this day Wild willy seemed to have injured his leg to the point of amputation ... Portland police report# 21-54465 which is the report that wild willy gave a false identity. Later the officer text giving his real identity. To this day I haven't been compensated for bodily or auto damageby wild willy or Geico my insurance. And lost my kia in a junk yard with a remaining of a bill of 12,000 of 25,500.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11501703January 13, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint started peeling/flaking on passenger and driver pillars. Trunk paint is now peeling and sure the rest will peel over time
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501398January 12, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
My car keeps slowing down while driving. The breaks are squeaking and rubbing and making a loud sound. The lights keeping coming up on the dash board
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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